Quad God Ilia Malinin Redefines Figure Skating Limits

Ilia Malinin, the young American figure skater dubbed the “Quad God,” is turning the world of figure skating upside down—quite literally. At just 21 years old, Malinin has already accomplished feats that many in the sport once considered impossible, and as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina approach, all eyes are on him to see what boundaries he’ll push next.

Malinin’s rise to stardom is the stuff of sports legend. Born and raised in Virginia, he started skating at the age of six, coached by his parents, Roman Skorniakov and Tatiana Malinina, both of whom were Olympians representing Uzbekistan. Ironically, his parents initially hoped he’d pursue a different path, wary of the sacrifices and challenges that come with elite competition. “They did not want me to skate at all. They wanted me to do something else, 'cause they know. They went through all those years of hard work, dedication, commitment to get to where they were, two-time Olympians. And now they coach skating. So, they were like, 'Oh, we don't want another skater in our family.' But here I am. Me and my sister skate now. So it's like, okay!” Malinin shared in a recent interview.

But it wasn’t long before Malinin’s talent became undeniable. The turning point came on a September day in 2022, at a minor event in Lake Placid, New York. There, inside the storied arena where the U.S. hockey team stunned the Soviets in 1980, Malinin landed the first ever quadruple axel in competition—a jump so daunting that every previous attempt by others had ended in a fall. The quad axel, requiring four and a half revolutions in midair from a forward-facing takeoff, had been the holy grail of jumps. “My mind was just blown,” said two-time Olympic skater Jason Brown, reacting to Malinin’s historic leap.

Since then, Malinin has only upped the ante. At the Grand Prix Finals in December 2025, he landed an astonishing seven quadruple jumps, setting a new record and cementing his status as the sport’s most electrifying jumper. He’s also been undefeated since November 2023, racking up his fourth straight national title and making him the overwhelming favorite for Olympic gold in Milan Cortina.

Yet, Malinin’s appeal extends beyond just technical mastery. He’s brought swagger, creativity, and a fresh sense of style to the ice—skating to rap music, experimenting with bold costumes, and even introducing moves like the backflip and his signature “raspberry twist,” a somersaulting spin that brings the crowd to its feet. “The human body can do amazing things. And I guess I'm one of them!” Malinin quipped when asked about his ability to execute such difficult elements.

But not all of Malinin’s innovations count where it matters most: the judges’ scorecards. The International Skating Union (ISU) maintains strict requirements for both short programs and free skates, often discouraging skaters from straying too far from the established script. “Absolutely, there are a lot of things I’ve wanted to try,” Malinin told the Associated Press. “Because I think it would be really cool and appealing. But it’s a bigger risk for the program itself, and the system and scoring means it doesn’t make sense.”

That tension between risk and reward is felt throughout the figure skating world. Alysa Liu, the reigning world champion, lamented, “There are so many rules in your programs that you don’t have too much wiggle room. A lot of these rules really restrict us. Like, all of our spins look the same now, but they could look so different.” Amber Glenn, a three-time U.S. champion, echoed those sentiments, pointing out that even the most creative routines might not be rewarded, while more conventional programs score higher. “Whereas if I go and do, you know, the norm, and do it well, versus what she does, my scores will be better, even though what she does is way more impressive, in my opinion.”

Despite these limitations, the ISU has relaxed some rules in recent years, allowing previously banned moves like the backflip. Still, such elements offer little in terms of scoring. Glenn admitted, “I mean, you’re cringing. It legit scares me. If you can do it, great. I think it’s so fun. I want to learn it once I’m done competing. But the thought of practicing it in like, a warmup or in training, it just scares me.”

For Malinin, the pursuit of perfection is never-ending. Even after sticking an almost flawless landing, he remains his own toughest critic. “That was okay. Ehhhh, I'm really picky. So far I think this is the best one. I have one or two in me more,” he said while reviewing his performance on video. His relentless drive is fueled, in part, by moments of doubt from others—including the time he was passed over for the 2022 Olympic team despite winning silver at Nationals. “To be honest, I think if it wasn't for that decision, I don't think I'd be here in this moment – landing a quad axel or trying to really revolutionize the sport, or just pushing the limits of my own capabilities or the sport in general,” Malinin reflected. “I think that's the best way to describe it. I think that's also kind of my personality – I really like to kind of own up and say, like, someone doesn't believe in me? I really like, 'No, watch. I'll do it. I'll prove you wrong.'”

So, what’s next for the Quad God? Some wonder if a five-rotation jump is on the horizon. “We'll see,” Malinin teased. “Maybe soon. Maybe after Olympics.” For now, though, he’s focused on channeling his nerves and delivering when it counts. “They're still there. And I think for a lot of skaters maybe that they'll still feel nervous a little bit on the inside. But it's always more, like, you get on the ice and once that music starts you're always in this, like, autopilot zone or tunnel vision that you just, like, 'Okay, now I just need to let my muscle memory take over and just, you know, think of it as it was, like, a practice.'”

Malinin’s journey is a testament to the power of innovation, determination, and a little bit of swagger. As the 2026 Winter Olympics draw near, fans and fellow skaters alike are eager to see what the Quad God will pull off next. Whatever happens in Milan Cortina, one thing’s for sure—Ilia Malinin has already changed the game, and the world of figure skating will never be quite the same.